The child with an acute asthma attack is prescribed a 7-day course of the systemic corticosteroid prednisolone. The mother asks the nurse, “Doesn’t this medication cause serious side effects?” Which...

The child with an acute asthma attack is prescribed a 7-day course of the systemic corticosteroid prednisolone. The mother asks the nurse, “Doesn’t this medication cause serious side effects?” Which statement is the nurse’s best response?

1. “Yes, this medication does have serious side effects, but your child needs the medication.” 2. “The doctor would not have ordered a medication that has serious side effects.” 3. “A short-term course of steroids will not cause serious side effects.” 4. “There may be serious side effects if your child takes the medication for a long time.”